Momma

Cecily started saying "Momma" today... and then my heart exploded.

She's always been very verbal, but she has been out-of-control chatty for the last few days. Like she can't fall asleep because she's talking so much, and she's been babbling incessantly when she's exhausted. It sounds like she's speaking Dutch. So she'll be chatting away in Dutch, I'll be trying to stick her didi in her mouth, the didi just makes her babble even more, and then - bam! - she's asleep. Just like that. "Blah blah blah." Head turn. Passed out.

Nothing has really resembled a word yet until today. And I could just die of pride that the first word-like babble to come out of her mouth is "Momma." I had her in her highchair in the kitchen while I was in the living room grabbing something. She was really unhappy that I walked away and wanted me to come back, and then I heard it. "Momma." And then again tonight. She was hungry and wanting to nurse and "Momma."

So I don't know if we can count this as an actual word yet or just a new sounds she's making, but I love it.

sometimes a picture says it all, but, of course, i like to add some words too.

hi.

we're the hunter girls.

that's ivy over on the left. jasmine's the one in the middle with the big mouth. and jill is on the right, laughing.

yes, we're related.

we each have a different variation of short, blonde hair.

we seem to have the same legs.

we're all a little wacky and a little loud.

we all have our own style and our own opinions.

we fight often but make up quickly.

we love each other, hate each other, like each other, and get annoyed with each other... sometimes all at once.

we're equal parts friend and family.

we're the hunter girls, and we're pleased to meet you.

fun with proust, thanksgiving edition #1 - mom

i thought i would start with my mom today because moms are the most important people there are.

my mom just turned 50 yesterday. she is such a beautiful, fun, amazing, hard working, smart woman. you would seriously never guess she was 50. in fact, maybe i shouldn't have told you. sorry, mom!

introducing, jill allyn hunter, mother extraordinaire:

1. what is your perfect idea of happiness?

chrystal, ivy, jasi, zachary, levi, and me making snowflakes in our living room, eating pizza, and watching Elf for the fourteenth time!

2. what is your most treasured possession?

although i do not possess them...jasmine, zachary, and ivy

3. what is your greatest fear?

being where i am not wanted and not knowing it.

4. which talent would you most like to have?

anytime i watch a very talented dancer, i feel i missed out. the grace, style, and strength of an accomplished dancer inspires and transports me to a place of beauty and excitement.

{jasmine here: for the record, my mom is a terrific dancer. she did miss out. if she had trained when she was younger, she would have been phenomenal. you would have all known her name.}

5. who or what is the greatest love of your life?

adventure. and not in the african safari way. adventure in terms of how you live each day.

6. what is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

saying things spontaneously without filtering them. you know that place in your head that asks, "should i really say that?" sometimes, i forget to use my filter.

7. what do you value most in your friends?

support, similarities, and differences

8. since it's thanksgiving, what are you grateful for in your life right now?

may sound corny, but good health.

and here is my mom's favorite photo of herself. this one cracks me up and is not what i was expecting when i asked her to send me her favorite photo:

and here's one of my favorite photos of my mom: